The Jets are returning to Revis Island.
Gang Green agreed to contract terms Tuesday night with superstar cornerback Darrelle Revis, according to his agents Neil Schwartz and Jonathan Feinsod and a league source.
The deal is for five years and $70 million, with $39 million fully guaranteed, according to a source. Revis’ salaries of $16 million and $17 million in the first two years are fully guaranteed.
The move completes a stunning return to the Jets for Revis, who was traded to the Buccaneers two years ago by the Jets and former general manager John Idzik. New GM Mike Maccagnan, who replaced Idzik in January, found a way to get him back.
Revis took to Twitter to deliver the news:
Revis became a free agent Tuesday afternoon when the Patriots declined to pick up a 2015 option that would have paid him $20 million and carried a $25 million salary-cap charge. That led to him becoming a free agent at 4 p.m. after the Patriots failed to negotiate a new deal.
The Jets paid a premium for a player who will turn 30 in July, but this was a must for the Jets, who upgraded their defense, weakened their rival and energized their fan base with the move.
Jets owner Woody Johnson desperately wanted to bring Revis back to New York, where he starred from 2007-12 for the Jets. He was the team’s first-round pick in 2007 and established himself as the best cornerback in the league, earning the nickname “Revis Island.” In December, Johnson spoke openly about his desire for Revis to return, which led to a tampering complaint from New England that the league is still investigating.
His brilliant play helped the Jets get to back-to-back AFC title games in 2009 and 2010 as the key piece in former coach Rex Ryan’s defense. But the on-field brilliance of Revis while with the team was sometimes overshadowed by contract issues. He held out twice, and the Jets traded him because they feared they would be unable to sign him long term.
Now, he will be a key cog in new coach Todd Bowles’ system, allowing the coach to run his blitz-happy scheme, knowing Revis is locked up with the opponents’ top receiver.
Revis, who has made six Pro Bowls and been All-Pro four times, spent one season in Tampa Bay after the Jets traded him before being released last March. Revis explored a return to the Jets, but Idzik was not interested. Instead, Revis signed with the rival Patriots where he won a Super Bowl. But the Patriots were unable to hold onto him and now he is back in green and white.
Revis will be the centerpiece of a revamped Jets’ secondary, but he is not the only piece. The Jets agreed to terms with former Browns cornerback Buster Skrine on Tuesday, according to a source. The two sides agreed to a four-year, $25 million contract with $13 million guaranteed, according to a source.
Skrine, a 2011 fifth-round pick by Cleveland, started the last two seasons for them. The 25-year-old had four interceptions last year and 18 passes defensed, but he also was flagged for 15 penalties, 11 that were accepted. Seven of those penalties were pass interference, tied for the second most by any player last season.
And the Jets may not be done at cornerback. According to a source they are still in discussions with Antonio Cromartie about bringing him back.
Addressing cornerback was a must for the Jets this offseason. The position was a black hole for the team last year as they searched for starters. They have no healthy, starter-caliber corners on their returning roster. Dee Milliner, their 2013 first-round pick, is recovering from an Achilles’ tendon injury and is not expected to be ready until training camp.
The Jets had made a run at former Eagles cornerback Cary Williams before signing Skrine. Williams visited the Jets on Friday and Saturday, but he signed with the Seahawks instead.
Cornerback is not the only position the Jets are trying to upgrade in the secondary. They also are shopping for a safety to pair with Calvin Pryor, their 2014 first-round pick. Chargers free agent Marcus Gilchrist was scheduled to visit the Jets on Tuesday night and into Wednesday. Gilchrist, 26, had one interception for San Diego last season. He has started for two years with the Chargers.
Bowles is known for his blitz-happy schemes, so the Jets needed to find some cover guys in the secondary to allow him to run his system the way he likes to. Maccagnan wasted no time doing that Tuesday.
Revis Island is back and maybe so are the Jets.
The Jets and Darrelle Revis agreed to a five-year, $70 million contract with $39 million guaranteed Tuesday night, according to a source. Here is how the deal breaks down:
2015: $16 million (fully guaranteed)
2016: $17 million (fully guaranteed)
2017: $15 million ($6 million fully guaranteed)*
2018: $11 million
2019: $11 million
* The salary is split between a $2 million roster bonus due on the first day of the league year and a $13 million salary.